What is Viral Gastroenteritis and how to get cured?

Viral gastroenteritis is an infection in intestines that is caused by several different viruses. Being highly transmittable, viral gastroenteritis is the second most common illness in the United States. Each year millions of cases of diarrhea are reported.

Although most people recover without any complications, however, viral gastroenteritis can be serious when people cannot drink enough to replenish the fluids lost through vomiting and diarrhea especially infants, young children, the elderly, and people with weak immune systems.

Symptoms and Diagnosis

The major symptoms of viral gastroenteritis are watery vomiting and diarrhea. Other major symptoms are headache, fever, chills, and abdominal pain. Symptoms usually appear within 4 to 48 hours after activation of virus. These symptoms lasts for 1 to 2 days, though symptoms can last as long as 10 days.

If you experience theses symptoms you may want to see your doctor. Doctors generally diagnose viral gastroenteritis based on the symptoms + physical examination. Doctor may ask for test of your stool for rotavirus. No routine tests are currently available for the other types of viruses.

Causes

The viruses that cause viral gastroenteritis damage the cells in the lining of the small intestine. As a result, fluids leak from the cells into the intestine and produce watery diarrhea.

There are four types of viruses cause most viral gastroenteritis:

Rotavirus is the leading cause among children 3 to 15 months old and the most common cause of diarrhea in children under the age of 5 years. Rotavirus can also infect adults who are in close contact with infected children, but the symptoms in adults are milder. In the United States, rotavirus infections are most common from November to April.



Adenovirus occurs mainly in children under the age of 2 years. Of the 49 types of adenoviruses, one strain affects the gastrointestinal tract causing vomiting and diarrhea.


Caliciviruses cause infection in people of all ages. This family of viruses is divided into 4 types, the noroviruses being the most common and most responsible for infecting people. The noroviruses are usually responsible for epidemics of viral gastroenteritis and occur more frequently from October to April.

Astrovirus also infects primarily infants, young children, and the elderly. This virus is most active during the winter months.





Viral gastroenteritis is often mistakenly called “stomach flu,” but it is not caused by the influenza virus and it does not infect the stomach. Also, viral gastroenteritis is not caused by bacteria or parasites. For information about bacterial infections, please see the Bacteria and Foodborne Illness fact sheet from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK).

Transmission

Viral gastroenteritis is highly contagious in poor hygienic conditions. People can infect with viruses through close contact by sharing their surroundings, food, drink, or eating utensils, or by eating food or drinking beverages that are contaminated with the virus. Door knobs are one of major source of spreading viruses and bacteria. Unwashed hands are a major source of transmission.

Noroviruses in particular, are typically spread by contact with stool or vomit of infected people and through contaminated water or food especially oysters from contaminated waters. Even after recovery, people may still be contagious, since the virus can be found in their stool for up to 2 weeks.

Treatment

Most cases of viral gastroenteritis resolve over time without any specific treatment. Antibiotics are not effective against viral infections. Your body needs fluids to function. Dehydration is the loss of fluids from the body. Dehydration can be caused by diarrhea, vomiting, excessive urination, excessive sweating, or by not drinking enough fluids because of nausea, difficulty swallowing, or loss of appetite.

In viral gastroenteritis, the combination of diarrhea and vomiting can cause dehydration. The symptoms of dehydration are

• excessive thirst
• dizziness or lightheadedness
• decreased tears
• dry mouth
• little or no urine or dark yellow urine
• severe weakness or lethargy

If you notice any of these symptoms, you should talk to your doctor. Mild dehydration can be treated by drinking liquids. Severe dehydration may require intravenous fluids and hospitalization. Untreated severe dehydration can be life threatening.

Children present special concerns. Because of their smaller body size, infants and children are at greater risk of dehydration from diarrhea and vomiting. Oral rehydration solutions such as Pedialyte can replace lost fluids, minerals, and salts.

Give infants and children oral rehydration solutions to replace fluids and lost electrolytes.
Gradually reintroduce food, starting with bland, easy-to-digest food, like toast, broth, apples, bananas, and rice.

Prevention

Prevention is the best way to avoid viral gastroenteritis by following the tips listed below. No vaccine is available for viral gastroenteritis with the exception of a newly released rotavirus vaccine called Rotateq. Otherwise, you can avoid infection by washing your hands thoroughly for 20 seconds after using the bathroom or changing diapers washing your hands thoroughly for 20 seconds before eating disinfecting contaminated surfaces such as counter tops and baby changing stations not eating or drinking foods or liquids that might be contaminated.

Things to remember:

For further information contact "The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), through its Division of Digestive Diseases

• The main symptoms are watery diarrhea and vomiting.
• Viral gastroenteritis has no specific treatment; antibiotics are not effective against viruses. Treatment focuses on reducing the symptoms and preventing dehydration.
• The symptoms of dehydration are excessive thirst, dry mouth, dark yellow urine or little or no urine, decreased tears, severe weakness or lethargy, and dizziness or lightheadedness.
• Infants, young children, the elderly, and people with weak immune systems have a higher risk of developing dehydration due to vomiting and diarrhea.
• People with viral gastroenteritis should rest, drink clear liquids, and eat easy-to-digest foods.
• For infants and young children, oral rehydration solutions can replace lost fluids, minerals, and salts.
• Avoid viral gastroenteritis by washing hands thoroughly after using the bathroom or changing diapers, disinfecting contaminated surfaces, and avoiding foods or liquids that might be contaminated.

Managing Dehydration in Children

Gastroenteritis, or "gastro" in short form, is a common infection of stomach and bowel that is usually associated with vomiting and diarrhoea. In most cases it runs its own course over several days. However, it can be a serious condition if the fluid loss is severe enough to cause dehydration; this is more likely to occur in the elderly and the very young. Mostly gastroenteritis is due to viral infections. Around half of the cases caused by rotavirus. Although some other bacteria like Campylobacter may cause gatroenteritis.
Cause of Gastroenteritis

In most cases the precise infective agent is not identified. It is only when symptoms are persisting that stools are sent for microscopy and culture in the laboratory.

Symptoms
The main symptoms of are vomiting, diarrhoea and cramping abdominal pain. Sometimes a fever will also be present. In more severe cases, signs of dehydration may appear; a young child may look floppy and pale and the urine output may be reduced. These signs mean that urgent medical assessment and treatment are required.
Other conditions can mimic gastroenteritis. Food poisoning is caused by bacterial contamination of food and it may cause severe vomiting and diarrhoea. Often several people who have eaten the same food are affected. If diarrhoea is not settling, stools are sent for culture.

Remedy
Usually gastroenteritis settles without specific treatment over a few days, although the diarrhoea may last several days longer. Because of the transient intolerance to sugars that often accompanies gastro, dairy products and fatty foods are best avoided for the first day or two. Dry biscuits, toast, clear soups, and foods like boiled rice and potato may be tried. However, adequate fluid intake is the main concern.

Most of these cases clear without treatment. Early appendicitis and other acute abdominal conditions can also look like gastroenteritis. Persistent pain and localized tenderness should suggest that something more than gastroenteritis may be responsible.
Treatment and Care

In babies replacement of fluid losses is vitally important. Whilst it is preferable to continue with breastfeeding and bottlefeeding, top-ups with oral rehydration fluid are often required. Gastrolyte is one of several excellent oral rehydration fluids available from the chemist. An alternative fluid supplement can be prepared using flat lemonade diluted to one fifth strength with boiled water. Undiluted lemonade, cordials and fruit juices should never be used because they can aggravate diarrhoea and cause dehydration. Medications to stop vomiting and diarrhoea should not be used in children; their absorption is unpredictable and they may make matters worse.

Gastroenteritis

Diarrhea and vomiting

Recently I experienced Diarrhoea in my four months old daughter. She started vomiting and water bowels. She was diagnosed gastroenteritis because she have been in contact with someone who has already infected or contaminated food or water. She had been miserable for two weeks or more. For adults it is not serious but for infants, older adults and people with compromised immune systems, gastroenteritis can be deadly.